Riff Raff

Dir: Ken Loach

UK, 1991, 95 mins, DCP

Cast: Robert Carlyle, Emer McCourt, Jimmy Coleman

Loach continues to find fertile ground – and plenty of comic potential – in the working man’s struggle against Thatcherism. Stevie, a young Scot out of prison, finds a job as a brickie and hooks up with an Irish singer Susan. His co- workers are running scams and romps, and no one gives a damn about his left-wing views. Until one day some workers are sacked and severely injured in the building site, Stevie decides to strike back. Based on scriptwriter Bill Jesse’s own experience as a construction worker, the film paints the gritty side of life, sparkling with wit, humor and bitter outrage.

1991 Cannes Film Festival, FIPRESCI Prize
1991 European Film Awards, Best European Film

Further Readings:Riff Raff, From Loach on Loach by Ken Loach and edited by Graham Fuller (London: Faber and Faber, 1998)

2. For screenings at ALL commercial cinemas, tickets are available at URBTIX till 5:00pm one day before respective screenings. After that, tickets will be available only at the box office of the screening venue on the day of screening, subject to availability.

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4. For the sold-out screenings at HK Arts Centre and HK Film Archive, a limited number of standing tickets are available at the URBTIX Outlets of the respective venues 30 minutes prior to the screening time. Seating is not guaranteed and subject to availability 30 minutes after the screening time. Each person can purchase 1 standing ticket. The availability of standing tickets is subject to change without prior notice.

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